What to do for Frozen RV Pipes

Winter is upon us. Many RVers prefer to head to warmer climates to wait out the freezing temperatures, for good reason. RVs can oftentimes be drafty and not well-equipped for below-freezing temperatures. One of the biggest risks of using an RV in the wintertime is frozen pipes. When pipes freeze, RVers are not able to use their sinks, take a shower, or access their water. Sometimes frozen pipes can even result in serious damage to an RV's water lines. Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you unfreeze your pipes as quickly as possible. Below us a guide to help you handle this tricky situation. 

How to Unfreeze Your Pipes

If you have encountered frozen pipes, fear not. The first step is to check for any cracked pipes. Some RVs utilize copper or metal piping, while others use plastic. Unfortunately, both can be cracked when frozen. Carefully check your exterior water lines for any signs of cracks before you try to thaw.

1) Heater

A portable propane heater or space heater with an extension cord can be used to thaw your pipes. If using this method, it is absolutely essential that you stay outside and monitor a portable propane heater. These can catch parts of the undercarriage on fire if left unattended for long periods of time. Use your heater to begin warming up sections of the pipes. If your RV has plastic or PVC piping on the exterior, do not put the heater too close. Enough constant, high-temperature heat could cause damage to the pipes.

2) Heat Tape

Heat tape can be one of the safest and most effective ways to thaw your frozen pipes. Though, it is absolutely essential that your pipes are not cracked before using heat tape. Kits can be purchased online or from hardware stores. Heat tape is actually a wire that wraps around your pipe to slowly thaw it. A slower method of unfreezing can actually be better for your pipes in the long run by causing less wear and tear. If your pipes are PVC or plastic, be sure to purchase pipe heat tape with an automatic thermostat. This will allow more temperature control to avoid damaging your pipes.

3) Heat Gun or Hair Dryer

Another method to safely thaw your pipes is to use a heat gun or hair dryer. A heat gun is best used on copper or metal pipes. A hair dryer can be used on either copper, metal, or PVC pipes. Take care not to leave the heat in one area for too long with PVC pipes, as this can cause damage or melting. Simply take the heat gun or hair dryer and slowly move it back and forth over the two frozen points. Please be careful when using a hair dryer in wet conditions, such as snow or ice.